Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Fall

Jones, Wallestad step up, help Jaguars to Little Hawk Invite crown

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The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team was already playing without standout middle hitter Devyn Robinson. Then, senior middle hitter Megan Lively went down with an injury. No worries. The second-ranked Jaguars cruised to the championship of the Little Hawk Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City High, despite missing two of their top players. "I … [Read more...] about Jones, Wallestad step up, help Jaguars to Little Hawk Invite crown

Jaguars romp to 41-0 victory for their second consecutive shutout

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Jerry Pezzetti has won 414 games in his legendary high school football coaching career. Pezzetti and his son, Ryan, get a lot of the credit for building the Ankeny Centennial program from scratch into one of the state's top Class 4A teams. Perhaps now it's time to give some of the credit to Jeff Helgeson, the Jaguars' defensive … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp to 41-0 victory for their second consecutive shutout

Centennial’s Gabe Vicker uses late charge to win Ames Invitational title

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Ankeny Centennial's Gabe Vicker waited for the right time to make his move during the Ames Invitational on Thursday at the Iowa State cross country course. When the sophomore took the lead late in the boys' race, nobody else could stay with him. Vicker went on to win the 5k race in a time of 16 minutes 33 seconds. He defeated runner-up Moe Smith of … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Gabe Vicker uses late charge to win Ames Invitational title

Pack running pays off for Centennial, Ankeny girls

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team won't have to rely on just one runner this season. Neither will crosstown rival Ankeny. Both teams are going to rely on their entire squad. Centennial used a pack mentality to earn a second-place finish in the Ames Invitational on Thursday at the Iowa State cross country course. The 14th-ranked Jaguars … [Read more...] about Pack running pays off for Centennial, Ankeny girls

Johnston golfers edge Jaguars based on better fifth score

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One bad shot here or there didn't make a difference on Monday when the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team defeated Urbandale by 26 strokes. On Wednesday, however, every stroke mattered. The Jaguars traveled to Jester Park for a dual meet against Johnston, and both teams finished the nine-hole round with a score of 157. It took a tiebreaker to determine … [Read more...] about Johnston golfers edge Jaguars based on better fifth score

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Brian Kolpek, Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf

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Brian Kolpek of the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Kolpek has helped the Jaguars to a 2-0 record in the CIML Central Conference. The senior shot a 76 in a victory over Ames on Aug. 17 at Briarwood Golf Club. The Jaguars will play a dual meet against Johnston on Wednesday at Jester Park. … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Brian Kolpek, Ankeny Centennial boys’ golf

Jaguars sweep Omaha Skutt Catholic, the No. 13 team in nation

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When Ankeny Centennial volleyball coach Jessica Rinehart scheduled a match against one of the nation's top teams, she was simply looking for a way to challenge the Jaguars. Coming away with a victory was a bonus. Centennial, the No. 1 team in Class 5A, posted a 25-22, 25-23, 25-15 win over visiting Skutt Catholic of Omaha on Tuesday. Skutt Catholic, … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep Omaha Skutt Catholic, the No. 13 team in nation

Ellgren shoots 37, leads Centennial golfers to win over Urbandale

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During the first two meets of the season, Drake Ellgren didn't look like the top returning player for the Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team. On Monday, he did. The junior carded a 1-over-par 37 to earn medalist honors in a dual meet at the Urbandale Golf and Country Club, where he led the Jaguars to a 155-181 victory over Urbandale. The win improved … [Read more...] about Ellgren shoots 37, leads Centennial golfers to win over Urbandale

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Tyler Rodgers, Centennial football

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Senior defensive back Tyler Rodgers played a key role as the Ankeny Centennial football team opened its season on Friday with a 20-0 victory over Ankeny. He helped the seventh-ranked Jaguars post their second consecutive shutout against their crosstown rival. Rodgers also saw some action at running back. He ran four times for 25 yards, including a 14-yard … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Tyler Rodgers, Centennial football

Without Robinson, Jaguars fall to Cedar Falls at Centennial Invite

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The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team proved on Saturday that it can play pretty well without one of its best players. The top-ranked Jaguars advanced to the championship match of the Centennial Early Bird Invitational before dropping a 25-19, 25-20 decision to No. 5 Cedar Falls, the defending Class 5A state champion. The Tigers trailed in the second set, … [Read more...] about Without Robinson, Jaguars fall to Cedar Falls at Centennial Invite

Oh brother: Jaguars unveil another speedy Gates in win over Ankeny

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Avery Gates finally got his chance to take center stage in Ankeny's crosstown rivalry. He didn't let it go to waste. The junior running back rushed for 130 yards on 16 carries and scored all three of the game's touchdowns as the seventh-ranked Ankeny Centennial football team opened its season on Friday with a 20-0 victory over Ankeny before an overflow … [Read more...] about Oh brother: Jaguars unveil another speedy Gates in win over Ankeny

Who will emerge as the star in Friday’s Jag-Hawk showdown?

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Here are five potential storylines for Friday's Jag-Hawk football game at Ankeny Stadium: 1. Will Centennial's dominance of the crosstown rivalry continue? The Jaguars have won five of the six meetings against Ankeny since the split into two high schools in 2013. The last three games have been decided by an average of 14.7 points, including … [Read more...] about Who will emerge as the star in Friday’s Jag-Hawk showdown?

New year, same goal: Jaguars seek another trip to UNI-Dome

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Garret Severseike never expected to play such a pivotal role for the Ankeny Centennial football team last season. Now, the senior quarterback is hoping to lead the Jaguars to a third consecutive trip to the UNI-Dome. "I think I've gotten a lot better myself just having to step into a situation that wasn't natural at all," Severseike said. "I was … [Read more...] about New year, same goal: Jaguars seek another trip to UNI-Dome

Jaguars place 4th, Ankeny girls finish 8th at season-opening meet

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It doesn't appear that there will be any dropoff for the Johnston girls' cross country team. The top-ranked Dragons, who have won the last two Class 4A state titles, opened their season on Tuesday by winning the Ankeny Centennial Invitational at DMACC. They scored 27 points after combining the results of the two races. Johnston standout Jessica McKee … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 4th, Ankeny girls finish 8th at season-opening meet

Jaguars edge Ankeny boys to win Centennial Invitational title

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country teams have had some close battles in recent years. It looks like they are going to have some more this fall. The two squads opened their season on Tuesday at the Centennial Invitational, where the Jaguars edged 12th-ranked Ankeny to win the team title for the second straight year. Centennial … [Read more...] about Jaguars edge Ankeny boys to win Centennial Invitational title

Jaguars on a mission to regain Class 5A volleyball crown

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Kenna Sauer wasn't herself on the volleyball court last year. After breaking her foot early in the season, the Ankeny Centennial outside hitter tried to come back later, but she didn't resemble the player who was named the captain of the Class 5A all-tournament team as a sophomore. She had just 105 kills as the Jaguars reached the Class 5A semifinals … [Read more...] about Jaguars on a mission to regain Class 5A volleyball crown

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Megan Lively, Centennial volleyball

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Senior middle hitter Megan Lively is one of four Division I recruits on the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. She has verbally committed to play for Central Florida. The 6-foot-3 Lively helped the Jaguars to a 30-8 record last season. She had 124 kills and compiled a .417 hitting percentage while also racking up 68 blocks. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Megan Lively, Centennial volleyball

Jaguars will rely on team effort to replace 3-time state qualifier Cox

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The graduation of Camden Cox leaves a gaping hole in the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team's lineup. Cox was a three-time state qualifier for the Jaguars. As a senior, he placed third in Class 4A with a time of 15 minutes 37 seconds. Cox took fourth as a junior and finished 26th as a sophomore in 2015, when he led Centennial to a 13th-place … [Read more...] about Jaguars will rely on team effort to replace 3-time state qualifier Cox

Ossian’s eagle helps Jaguars to 13-stroke victory over Ames

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Ankeny Centennial's Eric Ossian lined up his putt from just off the green on the No. 3 hole during Friday's dual meet against Ames at Briarwood Golf Club. The senior then knocked his putt into the hole for an eagle, one of many highlights on the day as the Jaguars posted a 305-318 victory in their CIML Central Conference opener. Centennial also racked … [Read more...] about Ossian’s eagle helps Jaguars to 13-stroke victory over Ames